VISTAS Online
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   Managing Anger: A Cognitive-Behavioral Perspective
                                                              VISTAS 2006 Online
              Managing Anger:  A Cognitive-Behavioral 
                                     Perspective
                                 Ralph F. Robinson, Jr. 
                                Delaware State University 
                               Email:  rrobinso@desu.edu 
                                               
     Biography:  Author retired after 21.5 years from the US Air Force in 1996.  
     He’s currently a College Counselor at Delaware State University holding a 
     Master’s degree (MSW) and License in Clinical Social Work.  He is also a 
     current member of the Delaware Board of Clinical Social Work Examiners 
     (governmental appointment); and former charter member of the National 
     Institute of Mental Health Extramural Interventions Committee (June 2003 
     – June 2005).  Specialty includes the practice of advance mental health as it 
     relates to college students.
      
      “The moment I start hating a man, I become his slave.  I can’t enjoy my 
     work any more because he even controls my thoughts.  My resentments 
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   Managing Anger: A Cognitive-Behavioral Perspective
     produce too many stress hormones in my body and I become fatigued after 
     only a few hours’ work.  The work I formerly enjoyed is now drudgery.  
     Even vacations cease to give me pleasure … the man I hate hounds me 
     wherever I go.  I can’t escape his tyrannical grasp on my mind.  When the 
     waiter serves me porterhouse steak with French fries, asparagus, crisp 
     salad, and strawberry shortcake smothered with ice cream, it might as well 
     be stale bread and water.  My teeth chew the food and I swallow it, but the 
     man I hate will not permit me to enjoy it … the man I hate may be many 
     miles from my bedroom, but more cruel than any slave-driver, he whips my 
     thoughts into such a frenzy that my innerspring mattress becomes rack of 
     torture.” 
                                           S.I. McMillan, None of These Diseases
      Most humans are able to manage their anger without much introspective 
     thought.  It can be described as an internal self-preservation switch that 
     goes on when one is in danger of being highly emotional, or “out-of-
     control” as it relates to anger.  There are some however, whose self-
     preservation switch is either defective or non existent and the result can be 
     devastating.  The anger and bitterness they harbor can be addictive and self-
     destructive.  
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   Managing Anger: A Cognitive-Behavioral Perspective
     Why is it so difficult for some people to manage their anger?  Well, 
     according to Barris (1999 & 2002), there are many reasons.  For some, 
     anger appears to work.  They make the connection that if I get angry with 
     whomever, they will comply with what I want.  However, this thinking is 
     in error and neglects to consider that people have freedom of choice.
     For some, anger is an “over-learned” reaction.  They have been reacting 
     angrily for so long that it seems occur automatically, without thinking.  
     However, behaviors and emotions are a result of thought.  One cannot 
     behave, or emote without thinking.  A problem arises when one does not 
     take the time necessary to think rationally, which may result in “semi-
     automatic,” irrational self-talk, emotions and behavior.  The key is to teach 
     one to slow down the thought process long enough to allow for meditation 
     and rational thinking - - this takes practice and will be highlighted more 
     later in this discussion.
     For some, anger helps them hold onto the past - - even an unpleasant past.  
     For example, my childhood friend became pregnant and had a son while 
                       th
     she was in the 10  grade.  She was very much in love with her son’s father, 
     but the father was not in love with her and wanted nothing to do with her or 
     the child after he found out about the pregnancy.  My friend, to this day, 30-
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